Nikki Sixx
Bassist has written or co-written all of Crüe’s best originals including the autobiographical “Kickstart My Heart.” Sixx formed his other group, Sixx:A.M., in 2006, originally to record a soundtrack of sorts for his memoir “The Heroin Diaries: A Year in the Life of a Shattered Rock Star.”

Vince Neil
Singer whose songwriting contributions include co-writing “Piece of Your Action,” “Home Sweet Home” and “Wild Side,” Neil went solo in 1992 before returning to Crüe for the 1997 album and tour “Generation Swine.” Backed by members of Slaughter, Neil delivered an entertaining show of mostly Mötley hits last year at the Manatee County Fairgrounds.

Tommy Lee
One of the last drummer rock stars, Lee rides a roller coaster that sends him around a 360-degree loop during his solo at venues that can accommodate the apparatus (fingers crossed for Tampa). Also the piano player and cowriter of Crüe’s signature power ballad “Home Sweet Home,” Lee remains most famous for sex tape with Pamela Anderson.

Mick Mars
At age 63, Mars is about a decade older than the other guys in the band and by all accounts the most mature, as well as the one credited with coming up with the moniker Mötley Crüe. Despite suffering from the spine condition ankylosing spondylitis for most of his career, he remains a dangerously talented guitarist.

1985: Crüe’s single “Home Sweet Home” is so popular MTV has to change the rules of its request show to give another song a shot at No. 1.

1987: The “Girls Girls Girls” album celebrates the band’s hard-living ways while reaching No. 2 on the Billboard 200. Ironically, Whitney Houston holds the top spot.

1987. Sixx overdoses on heroin just before Christmas, is declared dead, revived by adrenaline shots to the heart and then goes home and shoots up again.

1989: Fueled by hit singles like “Kickstart My Heart” and the title track, “Dr. Feelgood” rockets to No. 1 on the Billboard 200.

1991: Nirvana’s gloomy “Nevermind” album tops the charts, ushering in the grunge era while signaling what sounds like the death knell for glam metal.

1990s-00s: The once mighty Mötley struggles with albums and tours featuring replacement players for Neil and Lee.

2005-present: Following the bestselling autobiography “The Dirt” in 2001 and the well-received compilation album “Red, White & Crüe,” the original band members return to form, filling arenas worldwide.

WADE TATANGELOis the editor of TICKET + and a contributor at TicketSarasota.com. He has been an entertainment editor, reporter, columnist and reviewer for more than a decade at publications nationwide. He is a Hershey, Pa., native who grew up in Tampa and graduated from the University of South Florida. Wade joined the Herald-Tribune in 2013 and writes the weekly Bar Tab column. He can be reached by email or call (941) 361-4955. Follow @wtatangelo

Last modified: August 21, 2014
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